‘Arts should be available on prescription’

“This is exactly what we do and can do more of but the question remains – who is going to fund this? As often we need skilled facilitators who need payment. If you look at all the different arts the clip suggests.. all our current /sessions and groups need a funded facilitator apart from the Melodics choir and the small Wednesday art & craft session which are led by very generous volunteers ( Leah and Verna ) for the moment . The drama course, gardening club, Thursday water colour session at coffee morning , history talks, need funding to sustain them and keep them interesting and supportive”

I am also involved in the South Manchester Men in Sheds that was recently set up in Merseybank (and initiated by Chorlton Good Neighbours). A doctor from a GP practice near Wythenshawe Hospital rang me to ask about referring a patient to the Men in Sheds group as they have been set up to focus on patients with complex needs who are frequently in and out of hosptial, They are working closely with social care specialists and treating the whole person and exploring using social precribing. Great idea, but the only ones not getting paid for this initiative are the community group

Bernard